Directorate Change

RNS Number : 3162A

W.H. Ireland Group PLC

31 January 2011

 



WH Ireland Group plc

("WH Ireland" or "the Company")

Confirmation of Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer

31^st January 2011

WH Ireland Group plc, the financial services group, is pleased to announce that, further to the announcements of 23 July 2010 and 20 September 2010 regarding the appointment of Paul Compton as Chief Executive Officer subject to FSA approval, such approval has now been granted. Paul Compton therefore commences his duties as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.

Paul, aged 47 years, has 25 years' experience in the Small/Mid Cap sector. He joins WH Ireland from Toscafund Asset Management LLP ("Toscafund"), the London based hedge fund and asset managers.  At Toscafund, Paul co-managed the Toscafund Mid Cap Fund which was ranked the second best performing long/short equity hedge fund in Europe in 2009 by EuroHedge, a leading hedge fund news and information provider.

From 2002 to 2007, Paul was Head of Capital Markets at Collins Stewart, where he was responsible for building the division into the leading broker in the Small/Mid Cap field, with a strong track record in raising funds. During his time at Collins Stewart, his team raised £7.6 billion in 234 separate transactions. Prior to this, Paul worked for Merrill Lynch as Head of Capital Goods Research, having started his career with Morgan, Grenfell & Co.

Commenting on the appointment, Rupert Lowe, Chairman of WH Ireland, said:

"We are delighted to confirm that Paul will be taking up his position as Chief Executive Officer. Paul brings with him a wealth of experience in equity markets and a strong track record in driving revenue growth. I am confident that his knowledge and skill will support WH Ireland and we look forward to building on the progress made over the recent past."

The following information falls to be disclosed under rule 17 paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules for Companies.

In respect of Christopher Paul Compton:

Current Directorships:

Reflect Energy Limited

Directorships in the past five years:

Partner, Toscafund Asset Management LLP

Collins Stewart Europe Ltd

On 23 July 2010 it was announced that Paul Compton would be granted 2,218,000 options over ordinary shares on his appointment. The Company confirms that, FSA approval having been received and Paul's appointment having therefore been taken up, the options have been granted at a price of 36.75p per share, being the closing mid-market price on 22 July 2010.

For further information please contact:

WH Ireland Group plc	[phone]
Rupert Lowe
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited	[phone]
Hugh Morgan/Abhishek Majumdar (Corporate Finance)
Adam Pollock (Corporate Broking)

 

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